THE MUSIC PEOPLE

In 1972, CBS (Columbia in the US) released what is arguably the ultimate sampler. "The music people" is a sprawling 3 LP set, which sold then for £2:29, the price of a single album. There are some 40 tracks by a diverse range of artists, including a number listed on this site. The UK and US versions of the album had different contents, this review being based on the British version.

The presentation is immaculate, the sleeve presenting a brief synopsis of each artist and the specific album from which the selected track is taken.

From a prog perspective, the artists of interest include Mahavishnu Orchestra, It's A Beautiful Day, Home, Argent, Spirit, and Santana. To these can readily be added Blood Sweat and Tears and Chase, two jazz rock bands who have crossed over into prog. Other bands who demonstrate definite prog tendencies here are Fields, Titanic, Jimmy Spheeris (a wonderfully performed song called "The nest"), Niemen, and Al Stewart. There are many other artists who have no relationship with prog, but when people of the calibre of Bob Dylan, Jeff Beck, The Byrds, Lesley Duncan, and Poco are added to the mix you will get no complaints from me.

"The music people" naturally sold in vast numbers. Many of those buying it would have been attracted by names such as those just mentioned. The album therefore served to introduce such people (not least of whom myself) to bands and artists they had little or no familiarity with and thus this album helped to spread the good word of prog quicker than might otherwise have been the case.

These days, "The music people" really serves as a historical document. Should you chance on the opportunity to obtain it though, it is well worth doing so. It will undoubtedly introduce you to some fine music you may have missed.

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